TIPTREE, ESSEX 109 



SMALL HOLDINGS AT TIPTREE, ESSEX. 



Mr. Wilkin's jam factory has made the name of 

 Tiptree well known to the public. 



The small holdings which abound at Tiptree are 

 largely due, whether directly or indirectly, to 

 Mr. Wilkin's initiative. The basis of the small 

 holding cultivation in these parts is seed-growing. 

 The seeds grown are chiefly mangel, turnip, 

 parsley, cabbage, carrot, nasturtium and other 

 flower seeds. The men appear to be able to make 

 a living on 6 acres, and most of the self-supporting 

 holdings are from 6 to 12 acres. Mr. Wilkin has 

 estimated that there are about 200 small holdings 

 in the immediate neighbourhood, cultivated by about 

 150 individuals, some having more than one. Most 

 of them are rented, but in a few cases the men have 

 bought their freehold. The usual practice has been 

 for the men to start with a J-acre allotment while 

 still at regular work, and gradually to extend their 

 holdings as they learn the art of growing and 

 dressing the seed. The price received for the seed 

 depends very much on satisfactory dressing, and it 

 is therefore important to success that this art should 

 be thoroughly acquired. If a man is then able to 

 get 3 or 4 acres of land, he can give up regular work. 

 Hardly any capital is required to start ; the seed- 

 buyers, as a rule, supply the seeds in the first in- 

 stance, deducting the value out of the returns, for 

 which they have contracted with the grower. Also, 



